The Board of Trustees met Friday, Nov. 16 to approve future University projects and receive updates on existing programs and finances.
The meeting was opened as the Board recognized Rhodes Scholar finalist Ashton Richardson for his achievements.
Dan King, assistant vice president facilities management, then presented three construction projects to be approved by the Property and Finance Committee.
The installation of hot water lines along the Biggio Drive corridor of campus was approved. The new lines will allow water to be provided to campus buildings more efficiently from a central source instead of having individual boilers in each building.
Renovations to Plainsman Park were also approved, though only if construction costs could be kept below $1.2 million, which is the amount of money donated by the Athletics Department for the project.
A last-minute item pertaining to a new city right-of-way at the intersection of South College Street and Shug Jordan Drive was also considered. Due to a larger number of accidents in that area, the Board donated land to the city for the road's expansion.
The recent sex abuse scandal at Penn State was also addressed, as the Board considered the options available for students who are victims of abuse.
Progress updates were given by representatives from AUM and presentations were made regarding the e-Portfolio Project, which has been undertaken to achieve accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Board also called a private executive session. Grant Davis, secretary of the Board of Trustees, said an executive session is called during every Board meeting to discuss pending litigation with the University lawyer.
During the private session, the Board also determined if students should be awarded posthumous degrees, Davis said.
Posthumous degrees were then issued to students who had died during the fall semester of 2012.
A plan of study was also proposed that would allow students majoring in biosystems engineering to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in five years.
For more information on what occurred during the meeting, contact the Secretary to the Board of Trustees Office at (334) 844-4866 for official copies of the approved minutes.
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